U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton) today condemned Mayor John Hickenlooper (D-Denver) and jazz singer Rene Marie for the national anthem debacle that took place during yesterday's State of the City address at the Denver City Council. Rene Marie sang "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," also known as the "black national anthem," instead of singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
"I hope that this is not indicative of the "state of the city" and the cult of multiculturalism and anti-Americanism does not hold sway over the majority of the people in Denver," Tancredo said. "It’s also distressing because it appears to be another aspect of the racial politics plaguing this nation."
At the commencement of the event Tuesday morning, Rene Marie was introduced to perform the national anthem. Instead, she performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" to the tune of the Star-Spangled Banner. The national anthem was never performed. After her performance, the audience responded with mild applause.
Initial media reports indicate that neither Hickenlooper nor Marie has yet to apologize for the deliberate and offensive act.
Tancredo concluded, "A simple statement by the mayor and an apology by the singer would help clear this up."
Marie's explanation offered to The Denver Post, was that she could not sing the national anthem because, as an African-American, she doesn't "feel like an American." Indeed, she feels like a foreigner in her own land, she said.
"I pulled a switcheroonie on them," she declared with apparent pride.
So she proceeded with an assignment under false pretenses? If that's the case, this chanteuse could use a midlife refresher course in ethics. She might also seek a few minutes of face time with Barack Obama when he arrives in Denver next month for the Democratic National Convention. She should ask for his reaction to the idea that the national anthem is of no relevance to blacks. We have a feeling his dissent would be vociferous.
This is a complete misunderstanding of an artist's role at a public event of this sort. Marie was not in a jazz club, where improvisation and the unexpected might be prized. She was not painting a canvas to sell in a gallery. She was fulfilling an obligation that she'd voluntarily accepted. And she went back on her word.
This entire exercise is merely another example of the narcissistic, self-indulgent nature of most liberals, especially when it comes at the expense of God, country, and national pride over multiculturalism.